Kopyl regional executive committee

Belarus and Russia's Samara Oblast have every opportunity to reach $1 billion in mutual trade, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Samara Oblast Governor Dmitry Azarov on 27 June, BelTA has learned.

“Without going into statistics, I want to say: there are all opportunities to reach $1 billion in mutual trade. We just need to fulfill what we previously agreed on at various levels. Today life itself pushes us to this and shows us the right way, maybe the only possible way. We have to rely on ourselves,” the Belarusian leader said.

According to Belarus' data, in 2021 the trade with Samara Oblast totaled almost $700 million, up some 4% year-on-year. The figures dropped 59% this year due to the reduced imports of certain goods from Russia. At the same time Belarusian exports is showing a good increase year-on-year (more than 20%). At present domestic enterprises are not only fulfilling their obligations, but also significantly exceeding supplies of spare parts and components, elevator equipment, furniture, food, medicines, and other goods.

The president said that Belarus was ready to significantly increase the supplies of its latest automotive, agricultural, road construction, municipal and logging equipment to Russia.

The head of state drew attention to the logging equipment, the production of which has been recently mastered in Belarus, but the country has not yet launched batch production. These products are in demand in Russia, too. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated: “I explained all of that to the president [of Russia]. We will not do without it after all, particularly Russia. As I said, it is our alternative oil [timber]. We need at least $200-250 million in order to start all of it as import substitution now. He said: it is an interesting project, we should study it and definitely promote. The governments have to get this project going now. Samara Oblast may play part in it, too.”

“I am sure that we can agree on the terms of supply, service, and financial support. Recent months have proved it,” the president said.

“Although prices have gone up this year for reasons beyond our control, Belarus' imports from your region have almost remained at the same level. We started buying more sunflower oil, copper wire, and bearings. It is by no means a complete list of the products we can purchase from you. We hope that your visit to Belarus will help balance the trade. Everyone will benefit from it,” the head of state said.

The search for new opportunities to expand industrial cooperation is of utmost importance. “We need full interest from both the parties. Jobs need to be created both in Belarus and Samara Oblast,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Another area of cooperation is technology transfer and export of services. For example, Belarusian specialists are interested in the research of Samara defense and industrial experts. In its turn, Belarus is always ready to share its accumulated experience in development of the agricultural sector, can expand the range of food supplies, participate in design and construction of social and industrial facilities. There is readiness to share scientific achievements and technologies, including achievements in road construction.

“If you want our participation in Samara Oblast projects, we would be grateful for it and we will demonstrate the most responsible attitude. Of course, with all the importance of developing economy and trade, we should not forget about humanitarian affairs. We need to cooperate in this regard as well, including in education, culture and information. Samara needs to know how Belarusians live. We also need to know how Samara Oblast is developing. Mass media will play an important role here,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested considering all areas of cooperation during the governor's visit to Belarus: “You should tell us what we can and should do for Samara Oblast. We are at your service. If it is necessary and we can give our hand somewhere, we are ready to do it.”

Written by belta.by

We have agreed with President Putin to keep the process of import substitution under tight control, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of Russia's Samara Oblast Dmitry Azarov in Minsk on 27 June, BelTA has learned.

"We are pleased that our products and services are fully in demand in the Russian market. Today, the question is no longer how to sell, as it was before. Today, the question is how to meet the demand primarily of our Russia, a huge country, for the goods that we produce. Our government must not turn any request or contract down, in any of the sectors. In recent days, we have thoroughly discussed this issue with the Russian president as we looked into the import substitution process. That's the number one question. We agreed that we will keep this process under tight control," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that both Belarus and Russia are sometimes prone to red tape and bureaucracy: "Sometimes we map out all the steps, outline things to be solved, but once we get down to it, all kinds of ‘miracles' begin to surface. We know about this and, I stress again, the Russia president and I thoroughly analyzed these things and even gave orders to the people concerned."

The head of state explained what the issue is about. For example, Belarus, within the framework of the joint import substitution program, has suggested 15 projects for implementation. "But what happened then? Some in Russia said that they need only 10 projects. Five projects are uninteresting [to Russia] and Belarus can export these goods to third markets. But kudos to Putin. He said that Russia is interested in everything, because for Belarus to sell its goods in third countries, it must produce them first, and for that it uses components from the Russian Federation, about 50% of them. “So how can these projects be uninteresting?!” the president said. “So there is a decision, and you should take it into account without any reservations, that the projects on import substitution sponsored by Russia ($1.5 billion earmarked to Belarus) must be implemented without any delay."

"Otherwise, we might create the situation that will lead to internal discontent. This is what ruined the Soviet Union. Remember, when the deficit of laundry detergents and bread created people's discontent. Then worthless politicians made their contribution and the huge empire collapsed. Now we are reaping the fruits. Therefore, these mistakes should not be made in any case," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Written by belta.by

Belarus will soon begin making import substitutes within the framework of joint projects with Russia. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin on 25 June, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that during the meeting with Vladimir Putin he intended to discuss matters of economy among other things. “Import substitution is our traditional topic. We've suggested 15 major projects. The Russian side has approved them. You've supported us with regard to the joint funding of these projects. If everything goes the way we have planned, we will start making import substitutes soon,” he said.

“I mean the companies from unfriendly countries that used to supply products to us, to Russia and Belarus… We will be able to make our own products during this year and the next one,” the head of state added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also remarked he would like to discuss a number of specific issues in the area of economy with Vladimir Putin.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is on a visit to Russia, the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel informed, BelTA has learned.

“June 23 and 24 the two presidents hold informal talks in Zavidovo. The official program is scheduled for Saturday,” the Telegram channel reports.

The working meeting of the two leaders will be held in St. Petersburg on 25 June. It is noteworthy that this day marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Russia.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is on a visit to Russia, the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel informed, BelTA has learned.

“Today and tomorrow the two presidents will have informal talks in Zavidovo. The official program is scheduled for Saturday,” the Telegram channel reports.

The working meeting of the two leaders will be held in St. Petersburg on 25 June. It is noteworthy that this day marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Russia.

Written by belta.by

While talking to workers of the agricultural company Yubileiny in Orsha District, Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko explained on what conditions those who had previously fled the country might come back, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “They ran away to foreign countries but now 95% of them want to come back. They already write it openly: ‘If only Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko] could pardon us and open the border…' 95% would come back. I don't mind: they are free to go to prison and face other punishments they deserve. They have to come back. They will not be able to naturalize over there.”

In his words, many countries where self-exiled Belarusian opposition activists went to started welcoming refugees from Ukraine later on but due to problems caused by the strong migration they started offering less and less aid to emigrants from other countries. “Ours have been pushed aside already, everyone wants to go home,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

Written by belta.by

The task is to reach a gross grain harvest of 9-10 million tonnes in the near term, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a working visit to Mogilev Oblast on 20 June, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is starting a new week with a working trip to his native land - the agricultural town of Alexandria, Shklov District - where he will discuss the state and prospects of the country's agricultural industry, BelTA informs.

Belarus does not intend to fight in Ukraine. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement while talking to workers of the Bobruisk-based tire manufacturer OAO Belshina on 17 June, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the West is intent on getting Belarus involved in this conflict. “Putin has never asked me to go and kill someone in Ukraine and the rest. But they [the West] are pushing us towards this conflict in order to sort out both Russia and Belarus and set up a frontline – a line from St Petersburg to Rostov. In order to get rid of this Belarusian balcony as they call it. They failed in 2020. They continue doing it using other methods,” the head of state noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus should not get involved in this conflict and should not start “a little war”. He said: “We have to protect this piece of land [Belarus]. Thank god, we've been able to for now. The most important thing for me is to get the Ukrainian conflict to end as fast as possible instead of getting involved up to my ears in it.”

The head of state also assured that Belarus is not going to fight in Ukraine. “I was already asked this question in private yesterday: is your army going to invade Ukraine? I said we are not going to go anywhere until you cross the red line. Once you cross our border or target Mozyr Oil Refinery (they had a crazy idea like that), we will respond immediately. This is why leave us alone, we are not going to go to you. If you grab our drivers like those 75 people, then we will stage an operation. A multitier one. If we cannot retrieve these people peacefully, then we will stage a military operation. But we will not abandon our people. What did you think? 75 people are someone's children, they have children and grandchildren. This is why we had to take chances. Thank god, everyone is alive and healthy,” he stated.

The Belarusian leader also underlined the importance of military training, of reinforcing the Belarusian army: “We are going to train, particularly men. Because time is like this. The more we have and the more powerful our weapons are, the calmer we will feel. They will understand that if they hit Mozyr, then we will hit Kiev without going inside Ukraine. They have to understand it. But in order to deliver a strike, one needs something to strike with. We have that.”

Written by belta.by

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed decree No.203 “On selling potash fertilizers,” the press service of the head of state told BelTA.

The document is designed to expand the types of currencies, which can be used to pay the export customs duty on potash fertilizers. The decree allows paying the export customs duty on potash fertilizers in Russian rubles, Chinese yuans, U.S. dollars, and euros.

The decree also authorized the Council of Ministers to make decisions on setting the rate of the export customs duty on potash fertilizers in 2022-2023.

Written by belta.by